major gary paton, rear admiral fredrick kenney, judge advocate general of the united states coast guard. thank you all, and i think we can start with mr. kenney. >> good afternoon, madam chair gillibrand and distinguished members of the committee. thank you for the opportunity to appear before you to discuss the coast guard's efforts to prevent and respond to sexual assault in our service and good afternoon to you, too, ranking member graham. i share the commandant's commitment to the safety and well-being of each of our service members, ensuring that coast guard personnel have a collaborative, cohesive work environment that allows them to accomplish their mission -- protecting those on the sea, protecting america from threats delivered by sea and protecting the sea itself. illuminating incidents of sexual assault within the coast guard was a significant significant theme of the commandant's state of the coast guard address delivered three weeks ago. sexual assault is intolerable in the coast guard. it is devastating to its victims. it has broad repercussions throughout the service. we